For the sixth year in a row, the NAMM Foundation has named Osseo Area Schools one of the “Best Communities for Music Education.” The Foundation’s annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support of comprehensive music education in schools. Osseo is one of only five districts in Minnesota to earn the designation and the only district in the state to earn the designation six years consecutively.

“These schools and districts make a strong commitment to music education in the core curriculum supporting its essential value to a well-rounded education for every child,” said Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director. “Strong, engaging programs that offer students access to music cannot thrive in a vacuum. The Best Communities designation and the SupportMusic Merit Award bring hard-won visibility to music classes, programs and departments that are keeping music education alive in our schools.”

In its 15th year, Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) affirms school districts that have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of the schools’ core curriculum.

The BCME survey requires districts to answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kansas, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.

Osseo Senior High celebrated the honor of being the first high school in Minnesota to have its automotive program certified under new NATEF standards and regulations. This means Osseo is an accredited Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair High School by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.

The NATEF certification process is overseen by an outside review team who is identified and sanctioned by NATEF. Certification requires an automotive program to demonstrate high competency in 12 standard areas including instruction, work-based learning, safety, equipment, facilities and more. NATEF certification is significant because it provides the opportunity for students, while still in high school, to pursue certifications through passing scores on industry-recognized exams earning them credentials to take directly into the workforce or giving them a head start on their post-secondary studies.

Additionally, it identifies Osseo’s program as one that meets national standards ensuring students they will receive current, complete, and applicable training. Local businesses can be assured that Osseo’s program will produce well-trained automotive professionals.

With NATEF certification, Osseo has been able to partner with Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES). This partnership between automotive dealers, service employers, and automotive high school programs develops community/industry connections needed to actualize the goal for Osseo automotive students to participate in 320-hour internships with automotive dealers and aftermarket service employers during the summer between their junior and senior year.

Additionally, students in the automotive program at OSH are eligible to earn several college credits with Hennepin Technical College if they choose automotive-related post-secondary studies.